Raisin Tuile

1egg

6 1/2 cupspowdered sugar

4 cupsall-purpose flour

10egg whites (2 cups)

2 1/4 cupsmelted butter, lukewarm

1/2 cupchopped California raisins

Garnish

Fleur de sel

Deep-fried fennel sprigs

PROCEDURE

Place the 10-ounce square portion of ahi tuna on a large square of plastic wrap. Roll up tightly, securing ends by twisting tightly. Roll tuna back and forth on a hard surface. Continue until roll is round. Place in freezer until ready to assemble plate.

Heat a small sautépan until smoking hot. Pan-brown peppercorns until toasted. Remove from heat and grind in grinder (small coffee grinder works well). Sprinkle on cookie sheet. Roll the two 9-ounce portions of ahi tuna in peppercorn mixture, covering all four sides. Using your fingertips, press peppercorn mixture firmly into flesh of tuna. Heat a small sautépan until smoking hot. Sear all four sides of two pieces of tuna for approximately 30 seconds on each side. Remove from pan and put in small bow. Refrigerate until ready to assemble plate.

Spiked Raisin Medley

Combine mango, pineapple, appe and fresh ginger in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to assemble plate. Put California raisins to soak in vodka until plumped; drain and stir into fruit mixture along with almonds when just ready to serve.

To Assemble

Remove tuna log from freezer. Allow to thaw for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Using electric slicer or electric knife, slice 48 paper-thin circles. Place 8 circles in center of each plate overlapping slightly. Center a 3- or 4-inch ring on top of tuna. Remove mango mixture from refrigerator. Add 3/4 of raisin-vodka mixture and toasted almonds. Mix thoroughly. Fill ring with mixture. Remove seared tuna from refrigerator. Using electric knife, slice 9-ounce portion into three evenly portioned pieces. Place tuna on top of mango mixture. Decorate base of tuna with remaining vodka soaked raisins. To garnish, place a raisin on each tuna circle. Top tuna with a pinch of fleur de sel, raisin tuile and fried fennel sprig.